Tag: travel

Capturing Rome: Blue Hour Moments

I’d always dreamed of visiting Rome and the dream came true this autumn. I wanted to explore many places. But there was really only one photo. The Bridge of Angels and Vatican on the River Tiber in the “Blue Hour”.

I headed for a vantage point on the Ponte Umberto on our first evening to give me a “second chance”. The right decision, as it turned out!

After months of dry weather, it rained that day. Luckily the clouds lifted slightly and the skies were lit in an amazing orange light for a few minutes. But then a heavy rain shower hit us and we fled for shelter. The photo session was well and truly over, so we headed to Piazza Navone for pizza and wine.

Lo and behold, I’d captured an image that was exactly what a client wanted as a throw blanket. 2 metres by 1. 5 metres, now that is some canvas. Thank you so much and enjoy! See my blog for the Making of!

So how did I bag my blue hour scene? On our last evening we were returning from the Vatican tour and passed over the Ponte Umberto again, by chance.

It was perfect timing:-)

The lights on the Bridge of Angels, the Vatican and bookstalls along the river came on. Wispy clouds floated in the dusk skies. I didn’t have my tripod so I improvised using the bridge. Wow, am I pleased with the results, even if I say it myself.

You have memories of your visit to historic Rome, or dream of visiting one day? What about a picture for your wall or desk, or a jigsaw puzzle, coffee mug or duvet cover?

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by Categories: Cityscape, italy, Nightscape, Rome, SunsetTags: , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Capturing Rome’s Magical Sunset Moments

I’d always dreamed of visiting Rome and by chance I had the opportunity this autumn. When my travel companion asked what photos I’d like to take I said there was only one. I hoped for an early evening scene over the River Tiber from the Ponte Umberto with the lights of the Bridge of Angels and the Vatican illuminated in the Blue Hour.

I suggested we went there on our first evening to give me the slight possibility of a “second chance”.

After weeks or even months of dry weather, it rained that day and was cloudy. I kept my fingers crossed that this would give us a special sunset and wasn’t disappointed. The clouds lifted slightly and the setting sun lit the skies in an amazing orange light, just for a few minutes. The light was reflected in the calm river as a boat set off for a tour, adding movement to the special scene.

Very shortly after, a heavy rain shower hit us and we had to flee the bridge for shelter. We headed into the historical district near Piazza Navone for a delicious pizza and glass of wine. And I kept my fingers crossed that I had captured at least one special shot:-)

If you’ve been paying attention you’ll be asking “what about the blue hour scene”? Well, by chance, we were there again a couple of days later and I bagged that too. To follow.

You have memories of your visit to historic Rome, or dream of visiting one day? What about a picture for your wall or desk, or a jigsaw puzzle, coffee mug or duvet cover?

Many ideas for gifts for you or a loved one are available as

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by Categories: Rome, SunsetTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

Eilean Donan Castle: A Scottish Highlands Gem

A must-visit location in the Scottish Highlands for history enthusiasts and photographers alike. The tide was out and the shore was lined with shiny seaweed, the clouds provided a moody backdrop. The island at the confluence of Loch Duich, Loch Long and Loch Alsh is near the pretty village of Dornie.

Actually I set off in the morning for a tour of the Isle of Skye. Unexpectedly, I ended up here at the end of the day. I was ever so lucky to arrive in time to enjoy this amazing view of iconic Eilean Donan Castle. Although I nearly ended up getting stranded. Read on below…

So how did I get on this adventure? During the Skye tour I was offered a lift here. There was a regular local bus back to my hotel. Why not? I double checked the bus time beforehand and checked again with the waitress in the nearby pub at dinner. Yes, the last bus is at 7.45 p.m. from the castle.

I took photos of the castle and the pretty village of Dornie. Then I went for a lovely meal in the village before heading for the bus ahead of time.

But it didn’t come… and I didn’t have an internet connection.

My phone worked so I called my hotel on Skye who gave me the numbers of the two local taxis. One didn’t answer and the other was already on a long trip up the coast. “No way today, sorry.”

Remember, I am on the west coast of Scotland, 9 miles on a dark road from the next town, without a footpath, 11 miles from my hotel on the Isle of Skye. The last bus has officially gone. The only two local taxis are not coming. It is getting dark and cold. I listen to music, dance a little to keep warm.

Suddenly I see an “Out of Service” bus approaching. I almost run out in front of it. I learn that my bus had broken down and this was the replacement bringing people from Glasgow to the Isle of Skye. I hopped on gratefully and eventually got back to my hotel. Where everyone in the meantime knew about the “Glasgae bus breakdoon”.

You have memories of your visit to this iconic castle or dream of visiting one day? What about a picture for your wall or desk, or maybe a jigsaw puzzle, coffee mug or duvet cover? This image and many more from Bonnie Scotland are available as

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by Categories: Grand Tour, Highlands, ScotlandTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , 2 Comments

A Scenic Day Trip to Bavaria’s Lake Chiem in Winter

It was so peaceful and that view took my breath away. I stood up on the deck and thought – how lucky I am.

Enjoyed from the ferry boat on Lake Chiem on my day out from Munich in late January.

I was yearning to get out of the city to the lakes and mountains but there were always things going on or the weather didn’t play along. Originally, I’d checked out the trip details for another lake. But yet again the German Railways had railworks and disruptions on the day. Maybe I should thank them because I ended up going to Lake Chiem for an amazing day out.

Prien am Chiemsee is just an hour by train from Munich but you still need to get to the lake from the station – either wait almost an hour for the local bus or walk 25 minutes to the shore, which I chose to do. Got lost and took 40 minutes. My Fitbit was happy:-)

Lake Chiem is a pretty big ice age lake – 80 sq km or 31 sq mi – in Bavaria, Germyn, with inhabited islands including Frauenchiemsee, or simply Fraueninsel with over 300 residents, and Herrenschiemsee or Herreninsel. The local ferry runs throughout the winter to serve these islands which means visitors can enjoy the trip too.

A picture to sit back and dream in your living room or office or maybe you’d like one of the many other products in my online Shops:
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by Categories: Bavaria, Germany, MountainTags: , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Capturing the Last Rays Over Lake Schlier

It was a breathtaking moment – well worth the trip just for this.

At the end of December we had a few days where sunshine was forecast in Munich but didn’t come. Instead it was grey, cold, and more grey. The weather app showed sunshine a short journey south of the city, and I thought, “well why not try?” In the worst case, I can simply get the next train back.

I chose one of my favourite lakes – Schliersee – which is easy to reach by public transport in about an hour and has proper paths along part of the shore, as there was snow and ice around. I’ve been there a few times but never when the sun went down, so I thought I’d try my luck.

I wandered along the shore to what I hoped was a good vantage point and wasn’t disappointed. Lo and behold, the sun slowly dipped behind the mountains. I crouched down to pick up the ice near the shore and capture the beautiful reflections and that final sunflare or starburst, before the sun finally disappeared for the night.

Lake Schlier, in the town of Schliersee, Upper Bavaria, Germany on a late December afternoon 2024.

A soothing picture for your living room or office or maybe you’d like one of the many other products in my online Shops:
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by Categories: Bavaria, Germany, Sunset, WinterTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 2 Comments

The Horn of Amalthea: A Symbol of Abundance

I woke up early this morning to enjoy the sunrise and spotted a cruise ship far off on the horizon. So I grabbed my camera and went down to the shore to be rewarded with this amazing view a short while later.

The striking Horn of Amalthea sculpture with its green glass elements is illuminated by the dawn sun, while the cruise ship Azamara Pursuits sails slowly towards shore. The calm waters of Mirabello Bay in the Aegean Sea and the silhouetted mountains on the Sitia Peninsula complete the serene scene.

The small boat on the left is the pilot boat guiding the giant ship safely into the harbour at the port of Agios Nikolaos on the Greek island of Crete.

The Horn of Amalthea or Cornucopia is a symbol of eternal abundance going back to the childhood of Zeus in Greek mythology. This sculpture by Nikos and Pantelis Sotiriades stands on the shore in Agios Nikolaos near Kritoplatia Beach.

So many unique things came together on this special morning:

  • I woke up at just the right moment, decided to take some dawn photos and happened to notice the ship in the distance
  • the ship came at the perfect time – a few minutes earlier or later the sun would not have been in the right position to capture it through the statue
  • the ship took this particular route – ships the previous week had not arrived this way
  • there were such fascinating clouds – some days the sky was completely cloudless
  • the sunrise was actually visible – some days it was completely hidden behind the clouds

Visit Pixels for this beautiful travel picture to hang on your wall or explore the many other products.

Travel Photography Book Magic Memories from Agios Nikolaos

by Categories: Crete, Mediterranean, Seascape, SunriseTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Mesmerizing Underwater Life at Ammoudi Beach, Crete

As the sunlight dances on the surface, the underwater world near Ammoudi Beach in Agios Nikolaos, Crete, comes alive. The silvery reflections of the shoal of grey mullet shimmer against the surface of the sea, creating a mesmerising scene of marine biology in its natural habitat. The crystal-clear waters provide the perfect canvas for this captivating underwater picture, showcasing the beauty of aquatic life in the Mediterranean.

The silvery fish with stripes along their side are flathead grey mullet (Mugil cephalus), also known as flathead mullet, striped mullet among others.

In the foreground, the smaller brown and gold fish with beautiful forked tails are damselfish or Mediterranean chromis (Chromis chromis).

They seemed to swim over to welcome me, maybe curious at this big “fish” with a face mask and snorkel swimming beside them. I was so lucky to be able to swim with them and to take this special shot, when everything came together – the perfect angle of light, clear waters, my cam set up just right and the fish playing along:-)

A soothing picture for your living room or office or maybe on one of the many other products in my online Shops:
Wall Art and a wide range of other products on Pixels and Redbubble.
Wall Art on PM4Me.

by Categories: Crete, UnderwaterTags: , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Hidden Haven of Coral Beach in Plockton

On my first stopover on my Scottish Grand Tour I found Coral Beach – a real hidden gem – thanks to a tip from fellow travellers whom I got chatting to in picturesque Plockton on the west coast of Bonnie Scotland.
I was staying in a lovely B&B on the shore near Roinn An Fhaing (on the map below) and decided to take the hike up the hill over the peninsula, through the gorse-lined prepared path and finally across a few rocks and slithery stones. I hoped I could make it there and back, take photos – of course – and maybe have a wee paddle in the water too before the forecast rain came. And I did, almost:-)

© WalkHighlands I highly recommend them if you are visiting Scotland and looking for walks, hikes and more.
Locals having a siesta
Path with view of Loch Kishorn and mountains
Coral is not coral

“The beach is not actually made of coral but of minute pieces of calcified algae known as maerl. Living maerl is a pink and purple seaweed that covers the sea floor with broad beds of spiky carpets. Maerl is a coralline type of algae, which means that it deposits lime on its cell walls as it grows.” (Thanks to “British Express” for the information.)

Check out the Coral Beach image in my shops: available as wall art and a wide range of other products on Pixels and Redbubble, and wall art only on PM4Me.

by Categories: Grand Tour, ScotlandTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 2 Comments